Eyelash Extensions Pros And Cons

Eyelash extensions can make a real difference to your appearance, without the need for expensive mascara. Indeed, many women swear by them and avidly recommend them.

It’s no coincidence that you’re seeing more and more movie stars and other famous, glamorous women wearing eyelash extensions these days.

And there’s no denying they can make you feel good about yourself as you bat your long, luscious lashes!

But that’s not to say they don’t have their downsides too, so you really ought to weigh up the good and the bad before deciding whether they’re for you.

And with that in mind, let’s take a quick run through some of the pros and cons of eyelash extensions…

Eyelash extensions pros and cons

These are the most important eyelash extensions pros and cons that you need to consider:

Pros of eyelash extensions

No more struggle with fake eyelashes

Probably the biggest pro of eyelash extensions is, of course, that you don’t need to struggle with false eyelashes any more. Which, as we all know, can not only be difficult but very painful too!

Not only that, but you always run the risk of damaging your real eyelashes when using fake lashes, especially when it comes to taking the false ones off. While there’s some risk of this with extensions too (see Cons Of Eyelash Extensions below), it’s not at the same level.

Save time and money

Nor do you have to go through the hassle of applying and removing your mascara every day, so saving yourself not only valuable time every day but also a small fortune in makeup costs.

No, with eyelash extensions you can get that fantastic glamorous look with very little effort and expense. Once your lash extensions have been applied, they’ll stay in place for between 3 and 4 weeks, thanks to the strong, long-lasting glue that’s used to apply them.

Generally safe and pain-free

Eyelash extensions are generally safe too and likely won’t cause any harm to your eyes (if you stick to reputable brands and beauty salons). And lash extensions definitely won’t make you go blind, despite some of the rumors you may have seen flying around the internet.

The worst that could happen is that you suffer an allergic reaction to the glue (see Cons Of Eyelash Extensions below), resulting in you needing eye drops prescribing by an eye doctor. Apart from that, having eyelash extensions should be a pain-free experience.

Range of options

There are a range of eyelash extension types that you can choose from – mink, silk and synthetic – and they also come in different sizes, so there’s something to suit everyone’s needs.

Mink eyelash extensions are higher quality, last longer and are also lighter which means that they’re easier on your real lashes. On the flip side, mink eyelash extensions are considerably more expensive than synthetic ones.

More control over your look

The range of extension types that are available means you have a great degree of control over the look that you achieve. For example, you can get longer lashes, thicker lashes or both, resulting in a dramatically glamorous appearance, or something much more subtle.

Confidence boosting

Because they can make such an impact on your appearance, eyelash extensions can give your self-confidence a real boost making you feel much better about yourself. And this lasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Cons of eyelash extensions

Time consuming

The first downside to eyelash extensions is the length of time they take to get done. The whole process can take from 2 to 3 hours or more.

And, of course, you can’t really pass the time by reading or playing on your mobile as you need to keep your eyes shut throughout the lash application process.

Your lash extensions will also need touching up every month or so.

Can be worrisome and nerve-wracking

You can also quite easily find yourself worrying about your eyelash extensions far more than you need too. It’s all too easy to keep wondering if they’re okay, or if you just knocked one of them when you scratched or rubbed your eye, will they be okay while you sleep, and so on.

So if you’re of a particularly nervous disposition, this is something you definitely need to keep in mind.

Possible effect on natural eyelashes

The eyelash extensions add extra weight to your eyelids. There’s some concern that this in turn can affect your natural eyelashes. The hair follicles can fall out and not grow back, making your natural lashes thinner. Which, of course, is the exact opposite of the effect you’re looking for.

Risk of infection

The longer your lashes the more likely that dirt will get caught in them. The same is true of bacteria too. And this can then lead to eye infections. With lash extensions, this risk is increased.

Possibility of allergic reaction

Although the glue that’s used to apply the eyelash extensions is specially designed not to cause any damage to your eyes, it is still possible that you may suffer an allergic reaction to it.

Having said that, there are a number of different types of glue available so this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. And a reputable beautician will do a patch test to check you for allergies first if you’ve never had lash extensions before.

If you do get sore eyes or feel any discomfort, pain or burning sensations you should let the person applying the lashes know so they can try a different glue.

Need to keep them dry for a while after application

You need to avoid getting the eyelash extensions wet for between 12 to 24 hours after they’ve first been applied. This is to allow the glue to set properly. So no showers or swimming right after having your extensions done.

Care needs

Although lash extensions remove the need for applying mascara every day, you will need to clean them and dry them. They’re definitely not zero maintenance.

Won’t all fall out at the same time

As the extensions are attached to individual lashes, they won’t all fall out at exactly the same time. This means you can end up with just a few lashes left for a while, which obviously doesn’t look great. Unless you can’t resist the urge to pluck out those that remain, which can be a painful process.

Relying on skill and training of someone else

Perhaps the biggest con when it comes to eyelash extensions is that you’re relying on the skill of whoever applies them.

If the person who applies them isn’t properly trained or sufficiently skilled, then there’s a very real risk of eye irritation or damage to your real eyelashes.

So make sure you only ever go to a reputable salon that employs suitably qualified staff.

Summary

We’ve looked at some eyelash extensions pros and cons that you should take into account when making your decision about whether to get them or not.

For example, they save you time on a daily basis, they look great, and they remove the need for fiddly fake lashes.

But they do take time to be applied, there’s a chance you may be allergic to the glue that’s used, there’s an increased risk of eye infections and they can cause you to fret about them. And, of course, you do need to make sure you only visit skilled and fully trained beauticians.

If, after weighing up the pros and cons of eyelash extensions, you do decide to get them then please do share your experiences in the comments section below.

1 COMMENT

Your last two points on the con side are so true. At my salon, I make sure we carry at least 3 different kinds of glue, but for some people they simply can’t use any glue and for them it really disappointing. Also finding the right person that has those skills of a steady hand, good vision, and the desire for perfection is not easy. If you ever find a good lash specialist, I recommend you follow them, everywhere they go!